Stress or anxiety is actually fairly common in dogs, but pet owners often miss the cues that tell us our pet is stressed and we may not only miss it, but make it worse.   

The first step is understanding the signs of anxiety in dogs.  First, as always with any behavioral issue with your pets, we advise you to start with a visit to the veterinarian.  If you notice your furry friend showing one (or more) of these signs, don’t automatically assume they have anxiety. That’s because many of the signs of anxiety in dogs are seen with other health conditions, and different types of dog anxiety have similar symptoms.  

Physical Signs of Anxiety Include:

1.     Pacing or shaking. You have seen your dog shake after a bath or a roll in the grass. That whole body shake can be amusing and is quite normal…unless it is occurring as the result of a stressful situation. For example, dogs are commonly stressed when visiting the veterinarian. Many dogs “shake it off” when they descend from the exam table and touch down on the ground. Dogs, like people, also pace when agitated. Some dogs walk a repeated path around the exam room while waiting for the veterinarian to come in.

2.     Whining, whimpering or barking. Vocalization is normal self-expression in dogs but may be intensified when they are under stress. Dogs that are afraid or tense may whine or bark to get your attention, or to self soothe.

3.     Yawning, drooling, and licking. Dogs yawn when they are tired or bored, they also yawn when stressed. A stressful yawn is more prolonged and intense than a sleepy yawn. Dogs may also drool and lick excessively when nervous.

4.     Changes in eyes and ears. Stressed dogs, like stressed people, may have dilated pupils and blink rapidly. They may open their eyes really wide and show more sclera (white) than usual, giving them a startled appearance. Ears that are usually relaxed or alert are pinned back against the head.

5.     Changes in body posture. Dogs normally bear even weight on all four legs. If a healthy dog with no orthopedic problems shifts his weight to his rear legs or cowers, he may be exhibiting stress. When scared, dogs may also tuck their tails or become quite rigid.

6.     Shedding. Show dogs that become nervous in the show ring often “blow their coat”. Dogs also shed a lot when in the veterinary clinic. Although less noticeable in outside settings, such as visiting a new dog park, shedding increases when a dog is anxious.

7.     Panting. Dogs pant when hot, excited, or stressed. If your dog is panting even though he has not exercised, he may be experiencing stress.

8.     Changes in bodily functions, potty accidents. Like people, nervous dogs can feel a sudden urge to go to the bathroom. When your dog urinates shortly after meeting a new canine friend, he may be marking territory and reacting to the strain simultaneously. Refusal of food and loss of bowel function are also stress indicators.

9.     Avoidance or destructive behavior. When faced with an unwelcome situation, dogs may “escape” by focusing on something else. They may sniff the ground, lick their genitals, or simply turn away. Ignoring someone may not be polite, but it is surely better than being aggressive. If your dog avoids interaction with other dogs or people, do not force the issue. Respect his choice.

Watch your dog’s body language for these signs of anxiety: 

·        Ears held back against the head 

·        A tucked tail 

·        Crouching low 

·        Shrinking away from perceived threats 

·        A compact stance that minimizes the size of their body 

·        Wide eyes 

·        Dilated pupils

Scared dogs will do anything within their power to escape if they feel trapped, which can lead to clawed wallboards, chewed trim and doors, broken windows and screens, and sometimes serious injuries. These escape behaviors can all be signs of dog separation anxiety as they attempt to be reunited with their owners when left alone.

10.  Hiding or escape behavior. An extension of avoidance, some tense dogs literally move behind their owners to hide. They may even nudge their owners to prompt them to move along. As a means of escape, they may engage in diversion activities such as digging or circling or may slink behind a tree or parked car.

How to manage your dog’s anxietyIf your dog is exhibiting destructive or annoying behavior, you may be tempted to crate your furry friend, but doing so without first addressing their anxiety is not recommended. Dogs who aren’t properly crate trained may feel trapped inside their crates, which could actually increase their anxiety.  

Chewing at the crate is a common escape behavior, which can injure their mouths and break teeth. They may tear up their bedding or toys, creating choking hazards. They may even claw so desperately at the cage that they break off toenails—and any bits that are swallowed can lead to gastrointestinal damage and/or blockage. 

Anxiety can also affect a dog’s appetite and they may eat less, but some anxious dogs eat more. Activity levels may also change, with some dogs being overly stimulated and hyper and others retreating into themselves and becoming listless. 

Anxious dogs are truly suffering, so if you suspect your pet is stressed, it’s important to seek help immediately. The benefits of early treatment can’t be overstated, because anxiety symptoms tend to get worse over time, and dogs may become fearful under an increasing number of circumstances. For these reasons, knowing how to calm dogs with anxiety is extremely important.

1. Avoidance: The first step is to avoid situations that cause your dog to become anxious. You don’t want them to suffer more than they already are, and each time their anxiety is triggered, it reinforces their behavioral response. In layman's terms, it’s a chance for them to “practice” those stress-driven behaviors you’re trying to reduce.  

In some cases, you may also be able to remove your dog from the stressor. Some dogs find children who are loud, waving their hands, pulling tails and other behavior very stressful and may even respond by snapping at them.  If you see something stressing your dog, find a quiet place for him to regroup. Resist the urge to overly comfort him. If you want to pamper him with petting or treats, make him earn them first by performing an activity (e.g., sitting). Responding to routine commands distracts the dog and provides a sense of normalcy. It is amazing how comforting sit, down, and heel can be to a worried dog.

2. Desensitization: So, for example, if your dog has separation anxiety, figure out a way to avoid leaving them alone while they begin treatment. Be sure to give your dog lots of attention, praise and treats when they are calm, too.  If your dog is stressed by loud noises, you can reduce the loud noises in some cases and you can help them get used to loud noises (desensitization) in other cases. 

For example if your dog is afraid of thunder or fireworks, you can record that noise and play it softly while engaging your dog in play using a happy voice, not a “poor baby” voice or reward them with treats if they ignore the sound.  Increase the loudness of the sound over time until they become used to it and reward them when they ignore it.

3. Change Environment:  If there is a lot of noise, yelling and chaos in a household, this will affect your dog and create anxiety in your pup.  It is important to use inside, happy voices around your dog.  When correcting your dog, it does not require yelling, simply use a calm but firm voice with them.  The level of stress in your home can create stress in your dog.

4.  Exercise: As with humans, exercise can be a great stress reducer. Physical activities like walking or playing fetch help both you and your dog release tension. It is also good to provide your dog with a safe place in the home where he can escape anxious situations. Everybody enjoys a calm place to retreat.

5. Treatments: You can also make an appointment with your veterinarian. They can determine whether your dog truly does suffer from anxiety and if so, what type is involved. Your vet will then discuss treatment options, which may include

·       Anxiety-relieving medications

·       Calming nutritional supplements

·       Anti-anxiety wraps or vests

These methods are our least favorite because they really are treating the symptoms rather than the causes of the stress, however, if your dog’s behavior is significant, this can help you deal with your dog until you can work on the causes of the behavior.

6. Training:  Training as an option to manage a dog’s stress goes back to getting exercise, but also adds discipline and consistency to your dogs environment.  Dogs need consistency to minimize stress and they like knowing what the rules are for them.  Also, if your dog is exhibiting bad behavior a trainer will help you with positive reinforcement of good behavior as a way to eliminate bad behavior.